scarab
Syllabification: (scar·ab)
Pronunciation: /ˈskarəb/
Definition of scarab
noun
(also scarab beetle or sacred scarab)- a large dung beetle of the eastern Mediterranean area, regarded as sacred in ancient Egypt.
- Scarabaeus sacer, family Scarabaeidae (the scarab family). The scarab family also includes the smaller dung beetles and chafers, together with some very large tropical kinds such as Hercules, goliath, and rhinoceros beetles
Origin:
late 16th century (originally denoting a beetle of any kind): from Latin scarabaeus, from Greek skarabeios
